CRUSHED IN LIFT

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12610, 20 July 1935, Page 5

CRUSHED IN LIFT

YOUNG EbECTRTOJAN’S DEATH

LICENSE METHODS r RJTTCTBED

BY COUNSEL

‘TERFEOTLA" SCANDALOUS.”

(Press AssoexatloiiJ

WELLINGTON, July 19

Strong critScism efthe- methods used by. tb. e Marine Department in ■lili-e licensing of lilts in city buildings aa’US expressed by Alr, 0 ; C. Mazepgarb at- an inquest held today into the death of Gordon Sim*; electrical appaeaitEe, 17 h years, who was killed through being crushed between a lift and the wall, of | r -shaft, in the Magnus Motors building on Saturday morning-

Mr. Mrizcngarb, who appeared l’oi' <lie- parents of tho ■ deceased, su'ijeeted - the ’ inspector of machinery .for the Marino Departm.c n t to a lengthy cross-examination nn th-c lact that the lift had been operated: without a license’ since April or May, and Expressed the opinion that- ft was perfectly -scandalcais that lifts in TV'?II- - Avent 'unlicensed Inr tAVo oi UirpfA montb s solely because the Department could net get round the city in time.

An 'electrician explained that all except the ground floor gates of th-a lift Avero electrically controlled. The ground; floor gates operate vertically, and rise or drop as the lift descends or ascends. Judging by the position ctf dct/c-rd, M appearedthat he -stepped info the lift as it started to ascend and was knocked down by the gate as it dropped into position.

A verdict, was retunme-d that the deceased Avas fatally injured by being •crushed wh-e-n attempting to- enter ii goods lift in motion. The coroner said th e lift machinery was passed by expert men, and were ordinary care taken, it -Avouid not be dangerous.